Early Voting, Timely Voting, Critical Voting

Too Much is at Stake Not to Vote

I participated in early voting last week and though I am a traditional sort of guy, I must say I've enjoyed the convenience of early voting several times in the past few years.  I was there in mid-afternoon and was happy to see a steady flow of interested citizens coming in to mark their ballots.  Most ballot positions are unopposed but a number of important races are contested.

SCOTT MONROE should be supported for 198th District Attorney.  Mr. Monroe is well known as an excellent lawyer in our community, a native Texan, and exudes Hill Country values.  He is experienced in the field, has plenty of life experience of his own, and appears to have the practical, common-sense bent that is badly needed in the District Attorney's Office.

LAMAR SMITH has been in office long enough that his tenure would normally trigger my anti-incumbent tendencies; but he is generally on the right side off issues that affect our state and region such as immigration, gun control, and the excesses of the anti-constitutional Obama/Holder Department of Justice.  I feel that he was very wrong in his support of the "Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)" but that died anyway so I will give him a pass on that one.  He should be returned to office.

RUSTY HIERHOLZER has done a good, solid job as Kerr County Sheriff and deserves re-election.  He faces only token opposition.  (Full disclosure:  I am a contract employee of the Sheriff's Office).

HARLEY DAVID BELEW  deserves a shot at County Commissioner.  I was told once by a business leader that in order to be a commissioner you had to have failed at business and failed at farming.  I don't believe Belew has failed at either, but I believe he does bring some new energy and ideas to the campaign and the Commissioners Court.  Belew opposes long time incumbent Buster Baldwin who is a fine and honorable man but has run a lackluster campaign. 

Be sure to show up on Election Day if you were not able to make it for Early Voting.  It also assures that you are properly registered for the all important November election.